Macau (MNA) – Members of the Angola Chamber of Commerce in Macau (CCAMO) should “not worry” about a possible closure of the local Angolan consulate following a statement of the newly-accredited Angolan Ambassador to Beijing, João Salvador dos Santos Neto, the local chamber president, Carlos Lobo, told Macau News Agency (MNA).
The newly-accredited Angolan Ambassador to Beijing, João Salvador dos Santos Neto told members of the Angola Chamber of Commerce in Macau (CCAMO) to “not worry” about a possible closure of the local Angolan consulate, the chamber president, Carlos Lobo, told Macau News Agency (MNA).
In January 2018, it was reported that the Angolan government was considering closing nine embassies and 18 consulates, including those in Macau, Hong Kong and Guangzhou as a way of saving US$66 million (MOP625.2 million) in expenses.
“We received indications that we shouldn’t worry too much about this issue. There are many aspects being considered and all of them lead towards making sure the Angolan community remain well represented and have quick and stable access to consulate services,” Mr. Lobo told MNA.
The Angolan Ambassador in China visited Macau last week, its first visit since taking office in April, with Mr. Lobo telling MNA that the ambassador wanted to gather information on the city’s potential in terms of possible direct investment in Angola and in co-operation, especially in human resources training.
“We wanted to pass the message to the Ambassador that Macau exists and is important […]. The language factor is essential and is connected to the judicial system which is close to the European Roman law system, similar to the one used in Angola. Macau can be easily used by Angolans to obtain what they want from the Greater Bay Area, be it financial services in Hong Kong or technology in Shenzhen,” he added.
In the reverse direction, Mr. Lobo said the CCAMO members wanted to show that Greater Bay Area companies can come to Macau to inform themselves about the African country.
“Many people don’t know that there is a new private investment law in Angola that doesn’t demand a 35 per cent share on investment project which is not connected to an Angolan national. Many people also don’t know that there is a new competition law or several crucial elements for investors. Macau has the capacity to inform them about it,” Mr. Lobo told MNA.
